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U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Idaho Newsletter for Sunday February 11, 2024 ( 23 items )  

Congressman Fulcher Co-Sponsors Resolution Denouncing President Biden's Energy Policies
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 -- Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher co-sponsored H.Res. 987, denouncing the harmful, anti-American Energy Policies of the Biden administration to stand up for the U.S. energy sector. "President Biden has been at war with U.S. energy production since his first day in office," Congressman Fulcher said. "From canceling the construction of the Keystone Pipeline, revoking leases for mining outfits across the West, and h  more

Crapo Statement at Hearing on AI in Health Care
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: Promise and Pitfalls." As prepared for delivery and entered into the hearing record: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. "Artificial intelligence, or AI, offers seemingly endless applications and opportunities for every sector of American society, including health care.   more

Crapo, Risch, Colleagues Advocate for Small Business in Federal Contracting
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch (both R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Coloado), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), John Kennedy (R-Louisana) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to reduce complexity in federal government contracting in order to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs pursue contracts.  "Small businesses and the American people miss out when government bureaucra  more

Crapo, Risch, Colleagues Give Biden Administration Reality Check on Financial Burden of Dam Breaching
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) insisting the U.S. Department of Energy address the financial burden breaching the lower Snake River dams would have on Idahoans who benefit from the power generated. The demand comes after months of the Biden Administration attempting to usurp congressional authority and move toward dam breaching. "It is disconcerting to note the proposed agre  more

Crapo, Risch, Cruz Introduce Resolution to Block Biden Administration's Ban of Gas Furnaces
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in an effort to fight the U.S. Department of Energy's final rule on gas furnace efficiency standards. The Biden Administration's rule will go into effect on February 16, 2024, forcing manufacturers to sell only furnaces that convert at least 95 percent of f  more

Crapo, Wyden Release Framework of Unemployment Insurance Program Improvements
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) released a bipartisan framework of legislation that would make key improvements to the nation's unemployment insurance system. Those improvements would focus on program administration and integrity to combat fraud and improve access to benefits for eligible workers.  "This bipartisan framework takes crucial steps to  more

Crapo: More Reforms Needed to Close Border to Illegal Entry
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement in response to his NO vote on the border security and foreign aid supplemental legislation: "The President and Senate Democrats would not agree to include necessary reforms to assure the president will close our borders to illegal entry. On his first day in office, President Joe Biden blew open the southern border by using executive authority to re  more

Kennedy, Risch introduce bill to help small businesses apply for federal contracts
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) in introducing the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to clarify federal contracts so that businesses can easily pursue federal subcontracts. "Small businesses benefit from federal contracts, but, when the government uses confusing words, it discourages small businesses from applying for them. The Simplifying Subcontracting Act would make federa  more

Rep. Simpson Signs Letter Urging Biden to End LNG Pause
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: This week, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson signed a letter urging President Biden to end the recently announced pause in Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) exports. This letter is led by Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and signed by more than 150 House Republicans.  "President Biden's decision to 'temporarily pause' pending approvals of LNG export terminals will destroy Ame  more

Risch Advocates for Small Business in Federal Contracting
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jim Risch today introduced the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to reduce complexity in federal government contracting in order to help more small businesses and entrepreneurs pursue contracts. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) joined Risch in introducing the bill. "Small businesses are the backbone of ou  more

Risch Fights Immigration Handout to President Biden
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today voted to prevent the supplemental immigration bill from coming to the floor for consideration. The proposed bill does not meet the minimum threshold for addressing the crisis at the southern border.  "One illegal crossing is one too many, yet this bill would allow thousands of illegal migrants a day into the U.S.," said Risch. "That's an insult to the American people who   more

Risch, Colleagues Give Biden Admin Reality Check on Financial Burden of Dam Breaching
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today insisted the Department of Energy address the financial burden breaching the lower Snake River dams would have on Idahoans who benefit from the power generated. Risch's demand comes after months of the administration attempting to usurp congressional authority and move toward dam breaching. "It is disconcerting to note the proposed agreement is already being celebrated as   more

Risch, Colleagues Push U.S. Forest Service, NPS to Keep Access to Fixed Anchors for Climbers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter urging the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to provide clear guidelines for the use of fixed anchors for climbing in federally designated wilderness areas. "For decades, fixed anchors such as bolts and pitons have helped enhance climber safety in wilderness area  more

Risch, Crapo, Cruz Introduce Resolution to Block Biden Administration's Ban of Gas Furnaces
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in an effort to fight the U.S. Department of Energy's final rule on gas furnace efficiency standards. The Biden administration's rule will go into effect on February 16, 2024, forcing manufacturers to sell only furnaces that convert at least 95% of fuel i  more

Risch, Grassley Demand FBI Director Answer for Memo Targeting Catholics
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Upon discovering new details and discrepancies surrounding an anti-Catholic memo prepared by analysts in the FBI's Richmond, Virginia field office, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and 14 Senate colleagues pushed FBI Director Christopher Wray for answers. In the letter, the senators scrutinize top FBI officials for ordering analysts to permanently delete files related to the interna  more

Risch, Scott Fight to Protect Funding for Pregnancy Centers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act to protect the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for pregnancy centers. The Biden administration's proposed rule to amend TANF program regulations could restrict states from using TANF funding for pregnancy centers. "Pregnancy centers provide access to care a  more

Sen. Crapo: Weekly Column - The IRS Needs To Focus On Real Improvements, Not Unnecessary Programs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following column on Feb. 5, 2024: * * * The IRS Needs to Focus On Real Improvements, Not Unnecessary Programs As the 2024 tax season gets underway, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to fail taxpayers by moving forward with the launch of a costly and unnecessary pilot program known as Direct File. The pilot program, which was tucked into the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, claims to provide "free" government-run preparat  more

Senate Finance Committee Leaders Crapo, Wyden Release Framework of Unemployment Insurance Program Improvements
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) released a bipartisan framework of legislation that would make key improvements to the nation's unemployment insurance system. Those improvements would focus on program administration and integrity to combat fraud and improve access to benefits for eligible workers. "T  more

Senate Finance Committee Leaders Wyden, Crapo Release Framework of Unemployment Insurance Program Improvements
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, today released a bipartisan framework of legislation that would make key improvements to the nation's unemployment insurance system. Those improvements would focus on program administration and integrity to combat fraud and improve access to benefits for eligible workers. "Durin  more

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Crapo Issues Statement at Hearing on AI in Health Care
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: Promise and Pitfalls." As prepared for delivery and entered into the hearing record: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. "Artificial intelligence, or AI, offers seemingly endless applications and opportunities for every sec  more

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Risch Issues Opening Statement at Nominations Hearing for Assistant Secretary for DRL, Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Communications Coordinator
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on Feb. 8, 2024: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee nominations hearing. The nominees included Dr. Dafna Hochman Rand to be assistant secretary of State for democracy, human rights, and labor, Donna Ann Welton to be ambassador to the Democr  more

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Risch, Sens. Hagerty, Hirono, Colleagues Request Speaker Johnson Invite Japanese Prime Minister to Give Joint Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and a bipartisan group of 26 colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson (R-La.) encouraging him to invite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to addr  more

Young, Duckworth, Risch Reintroduce Bill to Increase Investment in Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) reintroduced the Investing in Main Street Act to increase investment in small businesses by permitting banks to invest up to 15 percent of their capital in Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC). In 1958, the Small Business Administration launched the SBIC program to facilitate and regulate investment fr  more